MANCHESTER UNITED owner Joel Glazer has insisted he is committed to the growth and development of the club’s women team.
The 50-year-old businessman addressed the concerns of United Women fan group Barmy Army.
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The Army had voiced their worries to United’s board following reports that poor conditions at Leigh Sports Village was the reason behind ex-boss Casey Stoney’s exit last season.
They wanted reassurances that things will be done to help United Women reach their goals and said they were open to working with the board.
And Glazer, to their surprise, met with them to do just that.
He said: “As you all know, we have also been focused on growing and developing our women’s team in line with the traditions and values of the club, and we are committed to continuing that process.”
Alongside Glazer, several other big-shots at the club, including Football Director John Murtough outlined their plan for the currently manager-less women’s team.
The focal point in the plan is to improve the training facilities for the women.
Stoney’s former side moved to the Aon Training Complex last season due to difficulties created by the Covid pandemic.
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The club say they will add a number of improvements to the complex this summer.
And they also reveal they’re working towards fully integrating United’s training complex so that the men, women and academy all use the same facilities.
This is line with Glazer’s vision to ensure United’s facilities are among the “best in Europe.”
United’s statement read: “The pandemic created challenges over the last year across football and across the club in terms of mandatory protocols around training and games.
“A combination of these factors, together with the impact of adverse winter weather conditions on the pitches, affected the usual training locations and schedules for the Women’s team at Leigh Sports Village.
“As a result, after considering options, the team relocated to the Aon Training Complex.
“This required flexibility across the club in terms of use of facilities and COVID-19 protocols.
“Going forward, the club will introduce a package of improvements for the Women’s team facilities at the Aon Training Complex, starting over this summer.
“Longer term, Joel Glazer recently referenced that the club will significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the facilities remain among the best in Europe.
“The long-term intention is for a fully integrated approach to the training ground with the Women’s team, Men’s team and Academy at one site.”
Stoney took the club from the Championship when they were re-formed in 2018 and turned them into WSL title contenders.
She led them to fourth place in the WSL last term just a point behind Arsenal and Champions League qualification.
Reports suggest that several National Women’s Soccer League are interested in bringing her to the USA.
She has also been linked to the Wrexham job which she received vile abuse from online trolls for.
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